Midwest
South Dakota abortion rights ballot initiative thwarted by Republican lawmakers
South Dakota’s Republican-led Legislature is trying to thwart a proposed ballot initiative that would enable voters to protect abortion rights in the state constitution. The initiative’s leader says the GOP efforts threaten the state’s tradition of direct democracy.
Supporters need about 35,000 valid signatures submitted by May 7 to qualify for the November ballot. Dakotans for Health co-founder Rick Weiland said they already have more than 50,000.
Republican lawmakers say the language is too extreme and overwhelmingly adopted a resolution opposing the initiative after grilling Weiland during a committee hearing.
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South Dakota outlaws all abortions except to save the life of the mother under a trigger ban that took effect in 2022 after the U.S. Supreme Court overruled Roe v. Wade.
If voters approve it, the three-paragraph addition to the South Dakota Constitution would ban the state from regulating abortion in the first trimester and allow regulations for the second trimester “only in ways that are reasonably related to the physical health of the pregnant woman.” The state could regulate or prohibit third-trimester abortions, “except when abortion is necessary, in the medical judgment of the woman’s physician, to preserve the life or health of the pregnant woman.”
“We looked at the rights that women had for 50 years under Roe v. Wade, basically took that language and used it in our amendment,” Weiland said.
Seven states have had abortion-related ballot measures since the Dobbs decision, and voters favored abortion rights in all of them. Four of those — in California, Michigan, Ohio and Vermont — enshrined abortion rights in their constitutions.
South Dakota Republican House Majority Leader Will Mortenson, at left, and Republican Senate Majority Leader Casey Crabtree, at right, appear at a press conference at the state Capitol in Pierre, S.D., on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024. The Republican-led Legislature overwhelming approved a resolution officially opposing a proposed ballot initiative that would place abortion rights in the South Dakota Constitution. (AP Photo/Jack Dura)
The South Dakota Legislature’s resolution opposing the initiative says the measure “would severely restrict any future enactment of protections for a pregnant woman, her child, and her healthcare providers,” and “would fail to protect human life, would fail to protect a pregnant woman, and would fail to protect the child she bears.”
Republican House Majority Leader Will Mortenson said they approved the resolution to help the public by pointing out “some of the unintended or intended, maybe, consequences of the measure so that the public could see what it does in practical effect.”
Republican Rep. Jon Hansen — who co-chairs the Life Defense Fund, formed to defeat the initiative — said its language goes too far and “bans reasonable, commonsense, bipartisan protections that this state has had in place for decades.”
“When Roe v. Wade was the law of the land, we could at least have protections to say if there’s going to be an abortion, it needs to be done by a physician, under a physician’s supervision, in an inspected facility,” Hansen said. “You can’t have those protections in the first trimester of this proposed constitutional amendment. That’s insane. That’s way too extreme.”
Weiland said the language conforms with Roe v. Wade and efforts to say otherwise are misleading and ill-informed.
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Democratic House Minority Leader Oren Lesmeister said voters, not lawmakers, should decide. Democratic Senate Minority Leader Reynold Nesiba also supports the initiative.
The American Civil Liberties Union of South Dakota, however, is not supporting the initiative, telling its supporters in a December email that the language “isn’t sufficient to restore abortion access in South Dakota.”
The South Dakota House on Tuesday passed a bill by Hansen that would allow signers of initiative petitions to withdraw their signatures. It now goes to the Senate.
Hansen said the bill is about people being misled or “fraudulently induced” to sign petitions. Weiland said Hansen’s bill is an attack on direct democracy. Hansen said, “This is a right squarely in the hands of the person who signed; if they want to withdraw, they can withdraw.”
South Dakota Democratic lawmakers, from left, Rep. Erin Healy, House Minority Leader Oren Lesmeister and Senate Minority Leader Reynold Nesiba speak at a press conference, Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, at the state Capitol in Pierre, S.D. They oppose a Republican-led bill that would allow ballot initiative signers to remove their signatures. (AP Photo/Jack Dura (AP Photo/Jack Dura)
Democratic lawmakers on Thursday brought up concerns about potential abuses and class-action lawsuits over signature removals. They said state laws already exist to ensure ballot initiatives are done properly.
The Senate will soon weigh a House-passed bill that would require the state Department of Health, which answers to Republican Gov. Kristi Noem, to create an informational video, with consultation from the state attorney general and legal and medical experts, describing how the state’s abortion laws should be applied.
Republican Rep. Taylor Rehfeldt said she brought the bill to provide clarification after questions from providers about when they can intervene to save a pregnant woman’s life. The purpose is to “just talk about women’s health, what the law says and what the health care and legal professional opinions are, surrounding what our law currently says,” Rehfeldt said.
Weiland said he is skeptical, not knowing what the video would include.
“Hopefully it’s enough guidance for doctors to be able to make these medical decisions,” he said.
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The Detroit Lions defense needed some serious changes this offseason after the team’s efficiency dropped from the seventh-best scoring defense to 22nd in 2025. Detroit promised to look at everything, and while a complete overhaul of the scheme they’ve been using since 2021 was always unlikely, coaches have promised that they will tweak the system to fit the talent of their players.
Last weekend, the Lions drafted defensive players with five of their seven selections, showcasing that they need there was a talent deficiency on that side of the ball. But can their specific picks tell us anything about the strategic, schematic, or philosophical tweaks they are making to the team?
On one hand, all you have to do is look at the pure numbers of players at each position to suggest there may be some personnel changes in 2026. The Lions played more based defense (three linebacker sets) than anyone in 2025, but if you look at their depth chart right now (including the Lions’ two signings on Wednedsay), Detroit only has eight linebackers (including reported UDFA signing Erick Hunter) compared to 16 defensive backs. Detroit has several members of the secondary who can play in the slot, so is this a sign they plan on playing more nickel in 2026?
Additionally, the players they added to the defensive line seem to bring more pass rush juice than run stuffing. And Detroit has yet to really add a nose tackle to replace the likes DJ Reader or Roy Lopez. Has the team quietly admitted they’ve relied too much on stopping the run and need to tilt the scales a little more toward rushing the passer?
Or we could take things even further. With no true nose tackle, but several movable parts on the interior defensive line, could we see the Lions move to a 3-4 base defense? Given how much we’ve seen Aidan Hutchinson, DJ Wonnum, and rookie Derrick Moore play as a stand-up defensive end, Detroit would certainly have the personnel to make a change like that, especially considering it would only require two true off-ball linebackers. But is that too drastic of a change?
Erik Schlitt and I discuss that and a whole lot more in this week’s episode of the Midweek Mailbag. Other questions this week include:
Check out the full episode of the Midweek Mailbag on your favorite podcasting platform or just use the Spotify embed below.
Or if you’d prefer the video version of the show, it’s available on our YouTube page and Twitch Channel. And don’t forget to subscribe and set up notification so you can catch us live!
Here are some of the top concerts in Milwaukee this spring
Here are some of the top concerts to check out around Milwaukee this spring at venues ranging from American Family Field to Shank Hall.
Prost! Maifest, Derby Day, Spaces & Traces, and fine art shows converge this weekend along with Revolutionary War Days in Menomonee Falls. Here are a handful of things to do in the Milwaukee area.
Estabrook Park Maifest
Cue the polka music; it’s opening weekend at Estabrook Beer Garden, 4600 N. Estabrook Parkway. Start hopping to Carol & The Keynotes at 5 p.m. May 1, and raise your stein for free beer at the Lakefront Maibock keg tapping at 6 p.m. The Squeezettes perform at 11:30 a.m. May 2, followed by a Third Space Happy Place keg tapping and free beer at noon. The polka continues with Polka Steve at 3 p.m. May 3. discoverthemorthshoremke.com
Foxtown Derby Day & Maifest
It’s beer and dogs at Foxtown Brewing, 6209 W. Mequon Road, Mequon, from noon to 10:30 p.m. May 2. Watch dachshunds “ruff for the roses” at the first annual Wisconsin Dachshund Derby, and enjoy performances by the Happy Shotski Combo, the Dorf Kapelle Band, and The LoveMonkeys. The Maifest menu includes bratwurst, giant pretzels, grilled Chicago dogs, brisket and pork schnitzel, with mint juleps, Oaks Lily cocktails, and Foxtown Brewing’s Maibock and lagers to drink. foxtownhospitalitygroup.com
Downtown Derby Day
Don your best derby hat and watch the Run for the Roses on May 2. Saddle up to the Bar in Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel at 139 E. Kilbourn Ave. for a 1 p.m. Derby Day bash with bites and specialty drinks available for purchase, then watch the race on Saint Kate’s grand projector screen. Or at 4 p.m. trot over to the Lobby Lounge of the Pfister Hotel at 424 E. Wisconsin Ave. and sip a mint julep in the sophisticated atmosphere of the hotel. The main race takes place around 5:45 p.m. Both events are free and open to the public. Visit thepfisterhotel.com or saintkatearts.com.
Historic Milwaukee Spaces & Traces
Tour unique homes on Milwaukee’s upper east side from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 2. Guided by docents, the tour features nine homes, and a lecture by historian Brian Fette at 2 p.m. at Plymouth Church UCC, 2717 E. Hampshire St. Tickets are $40 and are available online at historicmilwaukee.org/spaces-traces-2026.
Old Falls Revolutionary War Days
The redcoats are coming to Old Falls Village Park, Pilgrim Road and County Line Road Q in Menomonee Falls, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 2 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 3. As the U.S. approaches its 250th anniversary, watch the planting of the Liberty Tree ceremony and see Revolutionary War reenactors bring early America to life with battles, weapon demonstrations, encampments and uniform presentations. The event includes military vendors, historical displays, music and a beer garden. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children (ages 5-11). oldfallsvillagepark.org
Free Range Art Show
A century-old farmstead hosts a fine art and craft spring show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 2-3. View jewelry, pottery, fiber art, mixed media, wood work, paintings, cut metal art and sculptures in a historic Wisconsin barn at 6503 Pleasant Valley Road in Grafton. Free to attend. thefreerangeartshow.com
Art in the Garden
Shop the annual art and craft fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 3 at Boerner Botanical Gardens in Whitnall Park, 9400 Boerner Drive in Hales Corners. The fair includes over 50 local artists, crafters and vendors showcasing a wide selection of handmade home decor, garden art, jewelry and artwork. Admission to the fair is included with regular admission to the gardens. boernerbotanicalgardens.org
What’s new in Milwaukee-area theaters this weekend
“Animal Farm”: George Orwell’s 1945 novella warning about the dangers of communism traces how a movement for equality is systematically corrupted as truth is erased. See it at AMC Mayfair Mall; Marcus Theatres’ Hillside, Majestic, Menomonee Falls, Ridge, South Shore cinemas.
“The Devil Wears Prada 2”: Sequel to the 2006 film follows the shifting power dynamics in the fashion industry, with veteran employees facing a digitally driven landscape. See it at AMC Mayfair Mall; Marcus Theatres’ BistroPlex Southridge, Hillside, Majestic, Menomonee Falls, Movie Tavern Brookfield, North Shore, Ridge, South Shore cinemas.
“Deep Water”: A plane en route from Los Angeles to Shanghai is forced to make an emergency landing in shark-infested waters. See it at AMC Mayfair Mall; Marcus Theatres’ Hillside, Majestic, Menomonee Falls, Ridge, South Shore cinemas.
“Hokum”: A writer navigates a chilling game of deception after he is locked in the abandoned, haunted honeymoon suite of a rundown hotel. See it at AMC Mayfair Mall; Marcus Theatres’ Hillside, Majestic, Menomonee Falls, North Shore, Ridge, South Shore cinemas.
“The Story of Everything”: Documentary film exploring the origins of the cosmos and humanity, arguing that scientific evidence points to intelligent design rather than random chance. See it at Marcus Theatres’ Hillside, Majestic, Menomonee Falls, Ridge, South Shore cinemas.
Minneapolis police said a 69-year-old man was found dead after a shooting inside a north Minneapolis home. Chief O’Hara said Wednesday, officers responded at about 8:48 p.m. to a report of a shooting and found the man inside a residence on Bryant Avenue North, near 48th Ave. North
Police said he had an apparent fatal gunshot wound. Officers secured the scene and canvassed the area.
Police said homicide investigators are working to determine what led up to the shooting and, at this point, it does not appear random. “This is a tragic loss of life,” said Chief O’Hara. “Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and loved ones. We need anyone who may have information about what happened to come forward.”
Anyone with information can email policetips@minneapolismn.gov or call 612-673-5845 to leave a voicemail. People who want to stay anonymous can contact CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or submit a tip online at www.CrimeStoppersMN.org. Police said tips leading to an arrest and conviction may be eligible for a financial reward.
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